Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-28

Strations made IN support Of it by
gentlemen already referred to
If the opinion in the northern and
western towns of the county is
well nigh general that the County
Bridge is a burden which they
ought to be relieved from, such
opinion must have developed
quite recently, or must have been
accompanied by modesty of ut
terance quite unaccountable, be-
cause until recently very little has
been said within hearing of the
people of the eastern portion of
the county from which the exist
ence of such sentiment could be
known. That such sentiment
now exists, and is entertained by
many good people, is quite mani
fest. That it has been fostered
and encouraged by a few design
ing persons, and to serve a pur-
pose other than the general well
fare, is also quite apparent. But
the people generally mean to be
satisfied with what is right. It is
alike their interest and inclination
to demand what is just, and ask
for nothing more. 1t is their
interest in particular, that the
county shall prosper and thrive;
that SO far as is possible in the
nature of things, every Individual
and community in the county
shall prosper; and thereby insure
the prosperity of all; that if
differences exist, their cause be
fairly investigated, and if it be
ascertained that a wrong exists
whereby one or more localities or
individuals are unjustly charged
with burdens that should be borne
by others, that such wrong be
made right by peaceful and friend
ly means, if possible, to the end
that unnecessary and Improbable
controversies, ending only in i'll
feelings and additional taxation
be avoided.
Believing such to be the in
terests and sentiments of the
people, let us inquire whether the
complaints that the people of
Centralia and Grand Rapids ought
to maintain the bridge, and that
the county should be relieved
therefrom, are we'll founded or
not. AS large majority of the
people have become residents
since the bridge was erected, it
is proper to state the facts quite
fully, even at the risk of saying
much that is now generally known.
Let it be remembered that the
Wisconsin River is a navigable
tributary to the Mississippi and
that no bridge can be built across
it except by permission of the
Legislature first obtained Coun-
ties, cities and towns are as much
without authority to bridge the
Wisconsin, except by express
permission of the Legislature,
as are individuals. 1t follows
necessarily, that no county, city
or town can be compelled to
maintain such bridge by virtue OF
any general law relating to high
ways Or bridges. They can be
SO compelled, within their respec-
tive limits, to maintain suitable
highways and bridges upon now
navigable streams, (and probably
also upon navigable streams not
tributary to the Mississippi or St
Lawfence) but not upon the
Wisconsin. Communities there
fore, that are in need of a bridge
across the Wisconsin, are required
to first ascertain who is able and
willing to erect and maintain such
bridge, and then to obtain per
mission from the Legislature to
do SO. This done; such permission
obtained, and the privilege thus
granted once accepted and acted
upon, the bridge actually built
the obligation thereafter to main
tain it, is absolute and continuing
unless otherwise provided by the
law conferring the privileges
Such, is the law relating to oul
own bridge as expounded by the
Supreme court 6f this state. In
1865 the Legislature granted {
charter or privilege to certain
individuals named to build anc
maintain a toll bridge, across the
Wisconsin River between Crane
Rapids and CentraIia. The
necessity for bridge at the time
was very great. The county wa:
sparsely settled and almost wholly
undeveloped, and a majority O
the inhabitants resided on the cas-
side of the river Grand Rapid:
then, as now, was the county seat
was larger village than Centralia
and every body on both sides o
the river did most of their trading
and marketing at Grand Rapids